The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-27
A MAN WITHOUT A MEMORY.
John E. Sullivan Gives Another EXhibi-
ton of a Remarkably Bad Mind.
As Witness in the Insane Hospital Investi-
CATION lie Fails to Recolect Anything
That lie Don't Want TO Tell.

u
The first witness in the investigation of the
Hospital for the Insane by the House committee
yesterday morning was Jacob w. Loeper, me-
chanical engineer and draughtsman, who sue
ceeded Henry Stacey at that institution. He
was employed there from March until the mid
die of December last year as superintendent of
construction. and finished up the work that was
not completed He testified that he tested the
iron that had been used in the boilers at Cincin-
natl 1t showed tensile strength of $4,000
pounds The witness said that the bisters in
the iron were caused by impurities. He de-
scribed the patches on the boiler. Seven of the
eight boilers have been mended. None OF the
boilers were patched after the resetting. The
Test the iron was not complete, as the strength
was tested leDgthwise, aud was rot made cross
wise.
Isaac Allen Of Wells county, was the next
witness. He testified that he had brother.
Jonathan Allen, patient at the hospital for the
insane, who is now an inmate.
Ouestion-When was he last home9
Answer-Last May. He home about six
O-How did lie happen to come home9
Ale got out of the hospital some way, and got
home the 9th day of May.
Q.-Was there any communication from the hospital
authoritiesl.
A.-When he came home on the 9th, my wife wrote
On the 7th and asked how he was.
Q.-They returned answer postal card from
the hospital didn't they2
Alt said he was usual. and in good health:
sent it down here to some
Q.-Is that the card which said, mo change in iona
Than Allen. Health good}'
Ayes, sir.
GLOW long was he home before he sent back
70 the hospital
Ave sent him back In about six weeks. He
was SO that we could not do anything with him.
The next witness, Ransom Allen testified In
about the same way. 1t thus appears that "the
case of Jonathan Allen" was brought to the pub
lie by quick witted woman, who wrote decoy
postal card.
VIM. A. Krae, of Schnull & Krag, wholesale
grocers testified that his firm had had contracts
with the hospital for supplies at various times.
Q-What, if anything. do you know Of goods being
received there not up to sample!
Al remember canned peaches l took can of
peaches, such as bid for and opened them to
pare with those furnished. found them second
grade peaches, and protested with Mr. Hail. and told
him that when he asked for standard goods did
think it right for him to give contract to such peo
pie. The peaches brand that everybody in the
trade knows to be second brand. | remember call
Tor New YORK and they were furnished mis- with
cheese and our bid was rejected. know of vinegar
taat not up TO contract. brand of vinegar
trolled by H. II. Lee priced by him at IA cents,
md we bid to supply it at l6 cents competitor
bid for the same vinegar, and, when it was delivered
It a different brand. The vinegar put in was
worth or cents gallon.
John F. McHugh, now assistant door-keeper
Of the Senate, a steam litter and plasterer by
trade, also engineer Of stationary engine, tes
tilted He had been engineer at the Hospital for
the Insane, and testified as to the new boilers.
In his opinion the boilers and mud-drums had
room to expand before they we're reset
Louis Weissenberger, buyer and salesman for
Murphy Hibben & Co.. testified that the hospi-
tai bought good goods in his line at the closest
prices. Similar testimony was given by Harold
/, Hibben and D. P. Erwin. Mr.. Erwin said he
had not been treated fairly as bidder. On one
occasion he had not received the contract when
his bid was lower than any body else's, and wrote
TO Dr. Harrison about it. The letter had not
been answered, but he had never had contract
refused afterward when his bid was the lowest.
Dr. William j. Browning, a physician at the
Hospital for the Insane since the middle OF July,
1884, testified that he was acquainted with Roth
And Hail.
Odd you hear any conversation between
Hall and Roth regarding butter with ,naggots In it'll
talking to HILL and Roth in and told him there
was butter out there with worms in it. Hall said he
understood it was all right and ordered it unloeded
looked Mt the butter with Roth and found in it.
Two three days afterwsrd Dr. Fletcher said he had
ordered it sent back and had sent in to the city buy
800 pounds of good butter.
Mr. Grifiths-Since you have been out there have
you had any trouble with Senator Towards soni
Witness-l would rather not answer that as Sena-
tcr Towards SON is at the institution now dying with
consumption
Mr. Grifiths--All wanted to show was that the
witness had some trouble with Senator Towards son.
had reported the matter, and Howard had been dis.
charged Afterwards, that DR.. Harrison had said TO
The witness he must resign because of that difficulty
- Senator Howard was much displeased. Afterwards
The matter was in some way arranged
Chairman Grose-l do not think it would disturb
your feelings much to give what occurred between
you and Dr. Harrison.
Witness--Dr. Harrison once told MIR. Roth that
with this matter. You can ask Mr. Roth.
The Chairman an, requested to ask you tc de
scribe the personal habits of Drs Fletcher and Thorn
Witness-Ask me the questions.
Q.-What are DIR. Fletcher's norals9
Al think a moral man there is not better mar
In the universe than DR.. Fletcher. have heard h,
occasionally drank glass of beer but never saw hin
Intoxicated in my ife
Q--Is he not habitual drnkerl
Ale is not
Q-How is he as to habits Of duty and kindness
Ale is always at his post. His kindness to pa
tonts to extremes. His goodness of heart
times gees to the detriment of patients DIR
Thomas know takes an occasional drink, does D,
Fletcher. never him intoxicated.
Q--How about DIR. Fletcher's treatment of subor
dinatesa
Aus kihnncss 10 suooruinates IS proyeroia
pbout The hospital; he is known to be exceedingly
kind mai
Q--Eave you every paid any monse Afor political as
sessments
Al havo never been assessed but have paid none
for political purposes since was eighteen year
old paid my money here in town think hant
$50 $50, and told him 10 hand it in when he cam
70 town.
John +. Sullivan took the witness chnir. III
testified that he was produce and commission
merchant This is the man favored above al
others in getting contracts for furnishing butter
from tour to five thousand pounds month, I
the Indiana Hospital for the Insane. He wa
called hy the Harrison side of the case and in